BACKROADS CREATIVE
  • Home
  • Work
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Resumé
Picture

Fit & Flexible Friday - Yoga, Poetry in Motion

8/8/2014

0 Comments

 
The reason why I initially got into yoga was because I needed some way to stretch and avoid injuries from running, without actually stretching.  Through my journey in doing yoga, I have absolutely fallen in love with the practice. It has not only opened my shoulders, hips, and hammies, but also my mind. Yoga allows the body and mind to work together, become strong, and flow freely.  
0 Comments

Workout Wednesday - Jump Squats

8/6/2014

0 Comments

 
1. Begin in a squat position, with your knees bent, thighs as parallel to the ground as possible, and back straight, keeping your arms straight at your sides.

2. Power through your legs and jump as high off of the ground as possible. 
Land as softly as possible, back into your original squat position. 

Repeat for 3 sets of 10-20 reps.

Photo Credits: Natalie Rich 
0 Comments

Workout Wednesday - Boat Pose

6/25/2014

0 Comments

 
1. Start by sitting, balanced on your tailbone, and your spine straight and upright.  Your arms should be extended along your legs which will be bent at a 90 degree angle, parallel with the floor.
2. Keeping balanced on your tailbone, spine straight, and arms extended, slowly extend your legs straight.

3. Pull your legs back in to form a 90 degree angle just as in the first position
Repeat this move for 20 reps, and incorporate into your abs routine.  

Photo Credits: Natalie Rich 
0 Comments

Fit & Flexible Friday - Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose

5/31/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
The extended hand-to-big-toe pose challenges your balance and flexibility.  It is a great hip opener and helps you to find your center of gravity.  I have found this pose to be extremely helpful in loosening up my hips, hamstrings, and calves from my running.
1. Begin by standing on both feet in mountain pose to find your balance. Then, reach for your right ankle and place your foot on your left inner thigh or below the knee.  Press equal pressure from your left leg into the ground, and your right foot into your inner thigh.
2. Maintaing your balance by pressing your left leg down into the ground, use your right hand to grab for your right big toe as you slowly lift up your right leg, keeping your right hip open.
3. Slowly extend your arms and right leg, using your left extended arm to find balance. Finally, place your left hand on your hip and find a spot ahead of you to maintain a soft gaze to remain balanced. 
To come out of the pose, bend the right knee, and slowly lower the right leg to the ground, finding mountain pose.  Repeat on the other side.
0 Comments

Fit & Flexible Friday - Firefly Pose

5/2/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
When I first began yoga, I never dreamed of accomplishing arm balances such as this one.  The more I went to classes and practiced, it became a euphoric addiction to push myself to the next level and use my inner and outer strength to trust myself and come into poses like firefly.  I learned, that with the right attitude and appropriate steps taught by my instructors, anything is possible... so, you can do it too!  Try the below steps.
1. Start in a squat with your feet facing slightly outward. Lean back and place your hands directly behind your legs, with your fingertips pointing towards and nearly touching your heels.  Trust yourself as you begin to lean all of your weight onto your strong, 90 degree bent "chaturanga" elbows.
2. With knees directly above your bent elbows, cross your legs in front as if you're sitting "indian style".
3. From crossed legs, keep elbow bent at 90 degrees, and slowly begin to extend your legs until... TA-DA! you're in a splits formation
Photo Credits: Natalie Rich
0 Comments

Workout Wednesday - Rear Fly with Booty Kickback

4/16/2014

0 Comments

 
1.  Stand strong with one foot slightly off of the ground and hold your weights directly in front of your body.
2. Keep your arms and legs straight and strong as you begin to kick your leg back and hinge at the hips.
3. Fully kick back lifted leg with a slight bend in standing leg.  Keep back straight and make body parallel with the ground.
4. Keeping this straight and strong form, extend and lift both arms back into a rear fly and think as if you are pinching a pencil between your shoulders and upper back.
This move targets so many different muscles in the body which will help to get your heart pumping and increase your metabolism.  You will feel lots of work going on in the thigh of the standing leg by balancing and keeping the knee lifted. In your extended back leg, you will be working your hamstrings and butt.  The rear fly part of this move targets your shoulders and upper back.

Photo Credits: Natalie Rich
0 Comments

Friday's Food for Thought - "Overlandia: Fleeing Work for the Open Road to South America"

3/21/2014

0 Comments

 
I, myself, have always dreamed of escaping the confines of a routine life which most others find comforting and stable. I never quite understood why our society places so much value in settling down right after college with a "good job" -which is generally defined by a secure position within a large corporation with health benefits and blah blah blah.  Well, that sounds boring, doesn't it?  

The time right after college is the most valuable time we have to get out and experience life! So I think, why not take advantage of it?  Sure, it may be a little scary to leave a way of life that many of us grew up with, or were told we needed to have when we "grow up".  Well, I don't know about you, but it's not time for me to "grow up" quite yet.

Reading this article published on Adventure Journal about a couple who left their stable lives to explore what else is out there gave me all the confidence and inspiration I have ever needed to do the same for myself.  Enjoy this wonderful story!
1990 Toyota
"Our new home is a 1990 Toyota pickup truck adorned with a solar panel, rooftop tent, and electric fridge. The bed of the truck is filled with Rubbermaid containers housing bathroom items, kitchenware, dry food, and extra blankets."

Why would a seemingly intelligent young professional couple sell all of their belongings and move out of their downtown Vancouver, B.C., condo to move into a truck? That answer’s obvious. The tougher one is, how to overcome the inertia and get on the road?

Read More
0 Comments

Workout Wednesday -Jump Switch Lunge

3/19/2014

0 Comments

 
1. Start out in a high lunge, with hands on hips or out to either side for balance and core straight and strong.  Sink deeper into front leg and gather energy in legs. 
2. Pop up and jump to switch legs in the air so the opposite legs land in front and back.  Be sure to maintain balance.
This is a great move to work those quads, stretch your hip flexors, and to also to get in a bit of a cardio workout.

Photo Credits: Natalie Rich
0 Comments

Work/Life Balance...now Health and Fitness?!

3/4/2014

0 Comments

 
There are plenty of people out there who are all trying to do the same thing: find a balance between leading a healthy lifestyle, staying motivated at work, and maintaining a stable social and family life.  I often have friends coming to me saying, "I feel like I've fallen out of my routine and can't get back on track", seeking advice on what to do to get back on the health and fitness bandwagon.

Read More
0 Comments

    WELCOME!

    In my humble opinion, sweat and a smile are the sexiest things a person can wear.
    Picture
    Click the image for more information about how to get fit and reach your fitness goals

    Follow me on Instagram! @fitcountrygal


    Archives

    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014


    Categories

    All
    Abs
    Adventure
    Arms
    Balance
    Butt
    Fit & Flexible Friday
    Fitness
    Food For Thought
    Fruits
    Health
    Hump Day
    Inspiration
    Juice
    Legs
    Nutrition
    Recipes
    Thirsty Thursday
    Veggies
    Workout
    Workout Wednesday
    Yoga

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Work
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Resumé